Streaming Defenses: Week 12 Targets

Nov 22, 2016

When it comes to drafting a defense, I’m not someone to start the run. I’d rather wait until the end of the draft and play the defense with the great matchup. This practice is commonly known as streaming defenses. Every week, you target a mediocre defense with a great matchup against a weak QB or offensive line.

We have been writing this streaming feature for seven years -- offering readers several available-on-the-waiver-wire defense picks each week -- and they averaged DT5, DT6, DT7, DT10, DT8 and DT7 numbers from 2009 to 2015. Generating top 10 DT numbers off the waiver wire allows fantasy owners to basically ignore the position on draft day, instead focusing on more important areas during the draft.

Generally, defenses have to be available on the waiver wire in at least 40% of Yahoo fantasy leagues to be eligible. This ensures we are talking about defenses that are readily available.

Last week, the Pittsburgh Steelers finished with 22 fantasy points against the Browns, putting them on the board as the DST1. The Lions also poured on 19 points against Jacksonville, ranking them as the DST3. Through 11 weeks, our suggestions are averaging nearly 11 fantasy points per game.

As always, continue to target a defense with a home matchup or facing a below average or rookie QB. Week 12 is here, and so is Thanksgiving, so let’s take a look at who we’re targeting this week:

New York Giants @ CLE

I recommended them last week and this week they have a plus matchup with the Browns so the Giants are really hard to avoid in this spot.

Jason Pierre-Paul and Olivier Vernon are coming off games where they each had a sack and face a non-existent offensive line. Vernon should get Joe Thomas, however, but he’s been allowing pressures over the last few weeks. JPP should be able to take advantage of Austin Pasztor on the right side. Damon Harrison will be licking his chops like it’s Thanksgiving if he matches up with Cameron Erving.

Jonathan Casillas leads the Giants linebackers in tackles and has made an impact near the line of scrimmage, notching three tackles for loss and two QB hits.

The big playmaker, not only in the secondary but of the entire defense has been Landon Collins. He leads the team in tackles and INTs and is a menace around the football. Janoris Jenkins has recorded 12 defended passes along with two INTs.

Josh McCown is getting the start and is turnover-prone, as he always seems to throw a few INTs at the wrong time. The Giants are 6th as a defensive unit in generating pressure, and as I’ve said, pressure leads to sacks and turnovers. The Giants are available in 52 percent of leagues and are facing the third-worst team in aFPA to opposing defenses.